GLOBAL EXPLORER, and conservationist Christina Franco is preparing for her third attempt at reaching the north pole solo in February 2014.

All expeditions from Canada have had to be delayed a year after the window available narrowed to only 45 days. “It is not just the conditions on the ice itself that make travel to the North pole uncertain. We rely on Canadian pilots and the Russian ice station Barneo and this year their logistics made our window too small to attempt a crossing safely.”